
Toshiko Takaezu 1922–2011
Toshiko Takaezu, distinguished American ceramic artist and teacher, was born in Hawaii in 1922. She is celebrated as a driving force in the development of the modern ceramic art philosophy that seeks to elevate the product of a potter’s craft from utilitarian vessel to fine art.
The sixth of eleven children, Toshiko Takaezu (pronounced Toe-SHEE-ko Taka-YAY-zoo) was the daughter of Japanese immigrants who emigrated from Okinawa to Pekeekeo, Hawaii. Her art training began in the early 1940s with Saturday painting classes at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. During these early years, she worked with commercial ceramic firms producing press mold pieces. It was through this work that she met Claude Horan, founder of the ceramics program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. At Horan’s encouragement, Takaezu enrolled at the University – the first step in her formal artistic training.
In 1951, Takaezu was accepted to the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of the Arts in Bloomfield Hills, MI. In her third year, she accepted the position of teaching assistant to Finnish ceramic artist Maija Grotell. An excellent teacher with a knack for experimenting with glazes, Grotell had a profound influence on Takaezu’s work and encouraged her to find her own voice as an artist. After graduating, she went abroad in 1955 to explore her Japanese heritage, including the study of the tea ceremony and Zen Buddhism. While there, she studied the techniques and aesthetics of renowned artists Toyo Kaneshige and Yagi Kazuo, among others.
Upcoming Lots Toshiko Takaezu

596
Toshiko Takaezu
Ocean Edge Closed Form
estimate: $9,000–12,000

597
Toshiko Takaezu
Small Moon Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $8,000–10,000

598
Toshiko Takaezu
Garden Seat (with rattle)
estimate: $12,000–18,000

599
Toshiko Takaezu
Plate
estimate: $2,000–3,000

600
Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $8,000–10,000

601
Toshiko Takaezu
Hanging Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $3,000–4,000

602
Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Forms (with rattles), set of three
estimate: $2,000–3,000

603
Toshiko Takaezu
Momo Form
estimate: $7,000–9,000

604
Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $1,500–2,000

605
Toshiko Takaezu
Plate
estimate: $1,500–2,000

606
Toshiko Takaezu
Plate
estimate: $1,500–2,000

607
Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $1,000–1,500

608
Toshiko Takaezu
Coasters, collection of four
estimate: $1,000–1,500

609
Toshiko Takaezu
Plate
estimate: $1,000–1,500

610
Toshiko Takaezu
Plates, pair
estimate: $1,000–1,500

611
Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $1,000–1,500

612
Toshiko Takaezu
Early and Rare vase
estimate: $2,500–3,500

613
Toshiko Takaezu
Early vessel
estimate: $2,500–3,500

614
Toshiko Takaezu
Plate
estimate: $800–1,000

615
Toshiko Takaezu
Vessels, set of three
estimate: $1,000–1,500

616
Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $1,500–2,000

617
Toshiko Takaezu
Plate
estimate: $800–1,200

618
Toshiko Takaezu
Early and Rare bowl
estimate: $800–1,200
Auction Results Toshiko Takaezu

Toshiko Takaezu
Large form
estimate: $3,500–4,500
result: $7,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form vessels, set of three (with rattles)
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $6,875

Toshiko Takaezu
Fine and large cobalt sphere
estimate: $3,500–4,500
result: $5,000

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,688

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $900–1,400
result: $4,160

Toshiko Takaezu
Massive tall form
estimate: $4,500–6,500
result: $4,063

Toshiko Takaezu
Vase form
estimate: $900–1,400
result: $4,063

Toshiko Takaezu
Celadon form
estimate: $1,250–1,750
result: $3,750

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form (with rattle)
estimate: $800–1,200
result: $3,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Large untitled form
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $3,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Large untitled form
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $3,000

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $1,800–2,200
result: $2,750

Toshiko Takaezu
Multicolored form
estimate: $1,750–2,250
result: $2,625

Toshiko Takaezu
Small cobalt form
estimate: $800–1,200
result: $2,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Large Closed Form
estimate: $2,250–2,750
result: $2,375

Toshiko Takaezu
Untitled form
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $2,125

Toshiko Takaezu
Untitled form
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $2,000

Toshiko Takaezu
Large untitled form
estimate: $1,750–2,250
result: $2,000

Toshiko Takaezu
Closed Form
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $1,875

Toshiko Takaezu
Four bowls and one plate
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $1,750

Toshiko Takaezu
Moonpot
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,500

Toshiko Takaezu
Small Moonpot
estimate: $500–750
result: $1,375

Toshiko Takaezu
Rolling form
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,250

Toshiko Takaezu
Large bowl and three tea bowls
estimate: $800–1,200
result: $813